USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > The biographical record of Whiteside County, Illinois.. > Part 51
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Fraternally, Mr. Harrison is a member of camp No. 3994, M. W. A., of Emerson, and of garrison No. 160, K. G. In relig- ion he is not a member of any church, but his mother and other members of the family are members of the Christian church. In politics he is a Republican, and has served his township for one term of three years as road commissioner, and is now serving as
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school trustee. In July, 1899, he enlisted in the Sixth Regiment Band, being a musi- cian of undoubted ability, having served as instructor in a band in his neighborhood for seven years. Yet young, he has good pros- pects before him.
C CAPTAIN WILLIAM PARKER. One
of the prominent representatives of the journalistic profession is the gentleman whose name heads this brief notice, the well-known editor of the Rock Falls News, of Rock Falls, Illinois. He was born in Maysville, Kentucky, November 6, 1835, a son of William and Sarah (Ruggles) Parker. llis paternal grandfather was a native of Virginia, and went down the Ohio river to Kentucky at an early period in the settle- ment of that state. The Captain's father was a pioneer merchant and trader of Mays- ville, and was also engaged in steamboating on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. He served one term as sheriff of Brown county, Ohio, and died in Ripley, that state, in October, 1884.
In his native city Captain Parker passed his boyhood and there he received his early education in the Rand & Richardson Sem- inary. Going to Ripley, Ohio, at the age of fifteen years, he secured employment in the office of the Ripley Bee, where he re- mained three years, acquiring the trade of a compositor. He next went to Cincinnati, where he worked in the Enquirer job print- ing house for two years. He was now twenty years of age and well prepared to fight the battle of life for himself. Coming to Salem, Illinois, he vigorously conducted the Salem Register as the champion of Gen- eral Fremont during that noted political campaign, and subsequently he located at
Centralia, where he published The Cen- tralian.
At the outbreak of the Civil war, Cap- tain Parker was the manager of the Dixon Telegraph, at Dixon, Illinois, of which Isaac Boardman was owner. He entered the military service at that place, as second lieutenant of Company A, Seventy-fifth Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, September 20, 1862; was promoted to first lieutenant on the 20th of December, that year, and to captain, March 23, 1863. His regiment was temporarily stationed at Dixon, which left that place September 27, 1862. and proceeded to Jeffersonville, Indiana, cross- ing the Ohio river into Kentucky the last day of that month. With his command he took part in the battle of Perryville, and led his company in the battle of Murfreesboro. After the battle of Chickamauga, in which, however, his regiment was not heavily en- gaged, a re-organization was effected, by which it was assigned to the Fourth Army Corps, Third Brigade, First Division, Army of the Cumberland, at that time under the command of General Howard. During the siege of Chattanooga this command per- formed very effective service. Captain Parker was in the thickest of the fight, in scaling Lookout Mountain under General Hooker, during the greater part of the first day, and on the day following he partici- pated in the battle of Missionary Ridge, capturing a large number of prisoners and the train of the enemy's headquarters. An interesting incident of this battle was the surrender to Captain Parker of the son of General Breckenridge. His command was finally discharged at Chicago, July 1, 1865.
Captain Parker then returned to his old home in Dixon, but subsequently removed to Ottawa and purchased a half-interest in
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the Ottawa Republican. He remained there about two years and then disposed of his interest in the paper and purchased the Wenona Index, which he conducted until . 1870. While at Wenona he served as post- master for three years, being appointed dur- ing President Johnson's administration. In 1870 he purchased the Amboy Journal, which he conducted for two years, and then went to Kansas, where he was interested in various newspaper enterprises until 1876. During that year he returned to Illinois and located in Mendota, where he engaged in newspaper work until coming to Rock Falls in 1883. He established the Rock Falls News, a weekly journal, which he has since conducted with marked success, his son-in- law, Charles L. Mentzer, being associated with him in business at the present time. Fraternally he is a Royal Arch Mason, and is a charter member of Will Enderton post, No. 729, G. A. R., of Rock Falls, of which he is past commander. The Captain is a public-spirited and progressive citizen, who has manifested the same loyalty in days of peace as when he followed the old flag to victory on southern battle fields.
At Salem, Illinois, Captain Parker was married, June 18, 1857, to Miss Ella B. Bond, a daughter of Enoch and Jane (Sar- gent) Bond, originally from Ohio. Three children were born of this union, namely: Jennie W., who married W. M. Geddes, of Nebraska, and died in 1883, leaving one son; Anna F., now the wife of C. L. Ment- zer; and E. Bond, who was accidentally killed by a railway locomotive in 1882. Ella B. Parker died on the 11th of May, 1897, and on the 12th of June, 1898, Cap- tain Parker married Mrs. Edna E. Mason, of Chicago.
Captain Parker was in at the organiza-
tion of the Republican party in Illinois, at Bloomington, in 1856, and has been a con- sistent and active Republican ever since. He has never aspired to hold public office, though frequently solicited to do so, but his services have always been at the command of his friends.
FREDERICK MATZNICK. One of the substantial citizens of Hopkins town- ship, Whiteside county, is Frederick Matz- nick, whose home is situated on section 28. He is a native of Prussia, Germany, born on the 16th of February, 1843, a son of Fred- erick and Marie Matznick. The father, who died when our subject was a child of but seven years, was in the Prussian army for some years, and at the battle of Estrick received a number of severe flesh wounds. His widow, who reared her children with rare wisdom and fortitude, brought them to the United States in 1867, believing that greater opportunities for their future welfare could be found in this land of the free. Her useful life came to an end in 1881, but her memory is still tenderly treasured in the hearts of her numerous friends.
Like all the sons of the Fatherland, Frederick Matznick received excellent edu- cational advantages in the public schools, and, in common with all his able-bodied companions, he then entered the German army. As a soldier he served his country faithfully for a period of three years and four months, and not until then did he feel at liberty to seek his own fortune and private interests.
On the good ship which conveyed Fred- erick Matznick, his mother and sister to America, was a young lady, a friend of the family, Amelia J. Lemke. She was born in
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Prussia May 20, 1840, and became the wife of our subject March 26, 1868. Their eldest child, Frank H., was born December 22, 1868, and resides at home. Ida, born December 16, 1870, married August Miller, May 14, 1891 ; they have three children, and are now residents of Sterling, Illinois. Her- man G., born October 7, 1872, and Charles D., born July 3, 1874, are unmarried and assist their father in the work of the home-
In his youth, Mr. Matznick received a common-school education, and it has been a fixed purpose with him to provide his children with as excellent privileges as it has been in his power to give them. His interest in the public schools of this district led to his being appointed as a director, in which capacity he served for one term. Besides this, he served as a road commis- sioner for two terms, Politically he is a stead. Lizzie E., born February 14, 1876, . Democrat. Faithful to the creed of his childhood, he is a German Lutheran in religious faith.
is the wife of Archibald Matthias, of this township, and they have two children. Emma, the fifth child of our subject, died in infancy. Hannah M., born May 31, 1879, resides at home.
Christian, the elder brother of Frederick Matznick, died in Germany, unmarried. Charles, born August 20, 1830, emigrated to the United States in 1860, and is now a citizen of Hopkins township. He married Miss Sterns and has three children. Lottie, born February 2, 1833, became the wife of Christ Fibercorn, and their only child, Lottie, died in lowa, February 2, 1895. Fredericka, born in Germany. February 2, 1835, married Frederick Rohn, and four children were born to them. Of that family all are deceased save two of the children, who now live in Chicago.
After his arrival in this country, Mr. Matznick worked for farmers for some nine or ten years, in the meantime carefully accumulating a sum of money to invest in a farm, when the proper opportunity pre- sented itself. In 1885 he purchased the fine farm where he now dwells, and has made substantial improvements since that time. It is now considered one of the best farms in the township, and bountiful har- vests are reaped every year by the thrifty owner and his stalwart sons.
H ULL SCOFIELD, a well-known livery- man of Rock Falls, who is successfully engaged in business at No. 311 Main street, was born in Stamford, Connecticut, March 17, 1857, a son of David and Betsy B. Sco- field. The father, who was a native of Westchester county, New York, and a farmer by occupation, came to Illinois on horseback in 1858, and later moved his fam- ily, locating in Sterling. He purchased a tract of government land in this section but did not actively engage in farming, though he soon became a large property owner, possessing over a section and a half of good farming land in Lee county, just over the line from Whiteside county. Ile died in this county in 1882, but his wife, who was also a native of New York, is still living on Locust street, Sterling, and enjoys good health at the age of seventy-four years.
To this worthy couple were born five children, of whom our subject is the second in order of birth, the others being as fol- lows: David W., a prosperous farmer of Buena Vista county, Iowa, died upon his farm in 1889, leaving a widow and two chil- dren. E. Grant, a native of Rock Falls,
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Illinois, is now a successful farmer of Buena Vista county, Iowa, where he owns over one thousand acres of land and is extensively engaged in stock raising. He is married, but has no children. Seely is a prosperous farmer of Lee county, Illinois, where he owned three hundred and twenty acres of farm land, and has held nearly all of the township offices. Jennie is the wife of M. P. Mighell, a farmer of Buena Vista county, Iowa, and they had three children, all of whom are now deceased.
Hull Scofield was only a year old when brought by his parents to Sterling, and in the schools of that city he obtained his edu- cation. After laying aside his text books he located on his father's farm in Harmon, Lee county, Illinois, where he remained five years, and then came to Rock Falls and embarked in the livery business at his pres- ent stand. ' He has built up a good business and enjoys an excellent trade.
In 1870, Mr. Scofield was united in mar- riage with Miss Annie M. Baker, of Dixon, Illinois, the daughter of Ludwig Baker, a retired farmer of that place, and to them were born three children, two of whom are now living. Holman D., born in Iowa City, Iowa, died in Rock Falls, May 13, 1891, at the age of thirteen years. Edward B., born in Rock Falls, February 14, 1883, and Effie C., born in the same place, November 1, 1884, are with their father. The wife and mother died in Rock Falls, April 27, 1899, and was laid to rest at her old home in Dixon.
Of excellent business ability and broad resources, Mr. Scofield has attained a prom- inent place among the substantial citizens of Rock Falls, and is a recognized leader in public affairs. He is at present serving as alderman from the second ward, and is one
of the board of managers of Rapids camp, No. 151, M. W. A. He also belongs to the uniformed rank, Knights of Pythias, and is quite popular socially.
JOHN E. MILROY. Genesee township,
Whiteside county, has been fortunate in its pioneers and citizens, for, almost with- out exception, they have been characterized by all of the qualities which are found in the patriot. Education and all worthy enter- prises have been fostered by them, and the result may be seen in the high standing of this community in the state.
The paternal grandfather of our subject came to the United States from Scotland, his native country. William Milroy, the fa- ther of John E., was born in Schenectady county, New York, September 15, 1829, and when he was twenty years of age he came to Illinois. In 1860, he located upon a tract of eighty acres of land, situated in Carroll county, and is yet living in that vicinity. Success attended him in his busi- ness ventures, and from time to time he bought additional property, until his landed estate amounted to five hundred and twen- ty acres. Of late years, he has not been so actively engaged in farming as formerly, and, having divided some of his land among his children, he merely attends to the gen- eral management of the remainder.
William Milroy married Harriet M. Pot- ter, who likewise was a native of Schencta- dy county, New York, her birth having taken place August 24, 1832. Of their six children George P., now of Carroll county, Illinois, wedded Etta Wood, and their chil- dren are named respectively: Agnes, Will- iam, Ellen, Mary, Clinton, Elvie and Glenn. Isabella L., unmarried, lives on
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the old Carroll county homestead with her parents. William H., also of Carroll county, chose Kittie Cary for a wife, and their two children are named respectively: Cecil and Arnold. Ella A., wife of D. M. Myers, a merchant of Morrill, Kansas, has one daughter, Maud. Sydney B. F., who assists in the management of his father's farm, married Della Lockett.
John E. Milroy was born in Schenec- tady county, New York, August 26, 1859. He received a district school education and continued to give his father his services in the work of the home farm in Carroll county until he was twenty-five years of age. He then started ont in an independ- ent career. Here he rented land for about a year, and finally became the purchaser of the property, which comprises one hundred and sixty-one acres located on sections 11 and 12, Genesee township. For years he has given his attention to the raising of a general line of crops and has kept a certain amount of good live stock. Financial pros- perity has crowned his labors, and to-day he is assured of a competence.
In all his joys and sorrows, Mr. Milroy has found a true helpmate in his devoted wife, whose name in her girlhood was Mary Lillian Teachout. Her parents, Cyrus A. and Mary T. (Olin) Teachout, were natives of New York state, the former born in the town of Half Moon, and the latter in Pike, Wyoming county. After their marriage they came to Carroll county, Illinois, in 1854. Two of their five children died in infancy. William T., of Rock Falls, mar- ried Ella N. Friend, and their six children are: Mabel, Lottie, Zae, Dossie, Neta and Porter. Morton A., of Coleta, married Rebecca J. Stanley, and their three chil- dren are: Lula, Clifford and Forrest.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Milroy was solemnized December 17, 1884. She was born in Carroll county, April 5, 1865, and by her marriage she has become the mother of six children. One of the number died in infancy, and the others are Earl R., Maud L., Arthur R., Harold J. and Viola May.
Fraternally, Mr. Milroy is a member of Coleta lodge, No. 65, Mystic Workers of the World, and at present is acting in the capac- ity of master. Politically, he has taken a a very active part in the local affairs of the Republican party. For seven years he ably served as a school director; for some time was a commissioner of highways, in 1898 was elected supervisor, and is a member of the finance committee, and is chairman of the educational committee. The same lively interest which he has manifested in the government of his own county, and in the general prosperity, has been noticeable in his church activities. In company with his estimable wife, he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church of Coleta, and is a class- leader, trustee, treasurer and superintendent of the Sunday school.
H ERBERT T. BEARDSWORTH, pres- ident of the Bank of Eric, has a wide reputation as a most capable financier and occupies a position of no little prominence in business circles. His life demonstrates what may be accomplished through energy, careful management, keen foresight and the utilization of powers with which nature has endowed one and the opportunities with which the times surround him.
A native of Whiteside county, Mr. Beardsworth was born in a log cabin, in Newton township, August 21, 1849, and is
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a son of John and Mary A. (Shaw) Beards- worth, natives of England, the former born in Yorkshire, the latter in Staffordshire. In the summer of 1844 they bade good-bye to friends and native land and sailed for America, landing in New Orleans. Coming up the Mississippi river, they reached Al- bany, Illinois, in August, and took up their residence in Newton township, where the father entered forty acres of land in the spring of 1845. In England he had fol- lowed the shoemaker's trade, but here he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and became one of the most successful farmers and stock raisers of the county. To his original forty-acre tract he added from time to time as his financial resources per- mitted until at the time of his death he owned two thousand acres of valuable land in Whiteside county, besides a large amount of personal property. He died January 10, 1895, and the mother of our subject passed away January 3, 1869. They were highly respected and esteemed by all who knew them.
To this worthy couple were born the following children: Richard, a well-known capitalist and farmer of Newton township, married a Mrs. Zook, and for his second wife a Miss Fletcher. His death occurred November 20, 1899. Alfred was a mem- ber of Company C, Eighth Illinois Cavalry, during the Civil war, and died at Fairfax Court House, Virginia, January 21, 1865. Edward died in infancy. Herbert T., our subject, is the next of the family. Albert J. married Priscilla Gibbler and resides in Albany, Illinois.
Herbert T. Beardsworth grew to man- hood on the home farm, and the education he acquired in the district schools of the neighborhood was supplemented by a course
of study at Albany and Davenport. On the 22d of February, 1874, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Metcalf, of Al- bany, who was born in England, November 4. 1854, and when six years of age was brought by her parents, Frank and Hannah Metcalf, to America, locating in Albany. By this union four children were born, namely: Grace M., born March 27, 1875, graduated from the Morrison high school with high honors, as valedictorian of her class, and later married Joseph A. Miller, a resident of Davenport, lowa, and a gradu- ate of the Davenport Business College. Hattie M., born February 19, 1878, Harry G., born September 13, 1881, and Frank B., born March 27, 1883, are all at home.
After his marriage, Mr. Beardworth turned his attention to farming and stock raising, and in his labors met with marked success. He continued to reside upon his farm until 1896, when he removed to Erie and has since made that village his home. For some years before leaving the farm he had engaged in loaning money, and on com- ing to Erie established what is known as the Bank of Erie. Under his able management it has steadily prospered until it is now one of the leading financial institutions of the county.
Politically Mr. Beardsworth has always affiliated with the Republican party, and is now a member of the Republican committee from Erie. He is also president of the school board, and takes quite an active in- terest in education affairs. While living on his farm, he held several local offices, such as township clerk, assessors, and treasurer for a number of terms, but now gives almost his entire time and attention to his banking business; however, he is always willing to give his support to every enterprise which
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he believes will prove of public benefit. He and his wife are members of the Presby- terian church and are held in high regard by all who have the pleasure of their ac- quaintance.
JEWETT C. BUELL, a well known and prosperous dairyman and farmer resid- ing on section 8, Montmorency township, where he owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, was born in New York, May 22, 1858. His father, Clinton C. Buell, was born in Lebanon, Madison coun- ty, New York, March 22, 1828, and was educated at the academy in Hamilton, that state, from which he was graduated in 1851. At the age of eighteen years he com- menced teaching school, and the greater part of his life was devoted to that profes- sion. He served as principal of Hamilton Academy for four years, and was the found- er of the Hamilton Female Seminary, which was carried on by a stock company and which graduated thirty-nine young ladies under his administration, but was closed at the financial crisis of his career. In 1859 he went to Anamosa, lowa, where he was engaged in the grocery business until after the Civil war broke out. He raised part of a company of soldiers and was elected captain, but it was afterward joined with another, and he was made regiment quartermaster with the rank of first lieuten- ant. His brigade, which was a part of the Fourteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, was the first to scale the ramparts of Fort Don- elson, and the stores were taken in com- mand of Lieutenant Buell. He participat- ed in the battles of Pittsburg Landing and Shiloh, the siege of Vicksburg, the battle of Meridian, and Banks' expedition up the Red river, and in the pursuit of Price through
Missouri. After three years of arduous serv- ice he was mustered out in November, 1864. On receiving his discharge Mr. Buell came to Sterling, where he invested his money in hay, but this venture did not prove successful, as the government had seized all cars and he was left without any means for shipping. He then purchased about five hundred and sixty acres of land in Montmorency township and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits; being a practical farmer, he met with good success in that business. He gave special attention to dairy farming, and was one of the pio- neers in the creamery business, building the first creamery in the county. In 1866 he was made principal of the third ward school of Sterling, and was the first principal of the second ward school conducted in the present building. On the 21st of July, 1853, Mr. Buell was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Niles, who was also born in Madison county, New York, No- vember 5, 1828, a daughter of John and Sarah (Mosley) Niles, who spent their last days in Whiteside county. To Mr. and Mrs. Buell were born seven children, of whom three died young. Of the others our subject is the eldest; Fred, who is engaged in the creamery business in Prophetstown, is married and has two children, Dorothy and Angeline; Charles C., an attorney of Chicago, is married and has two children, Temple and Charles; Sarah is the wife of Harvey Strickler, a resident of Austin, a suburb of Chicago, and they have two chil- dren, Harvey and John. Both the parents are now deceased, the father dying Decem- ber 31, 1885, and the mother September 11, 1897.
The early education of Jewett C. Buell was acquired in the country schools of Mont-
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morency township, and later he attended the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, taking a preparatory course. He remained at home with his parents and followed farming until his marriage, which was celebrated January 10, 1881, Miss Ly- dia Emmons becoming his wife. She was born in Doloma township, this county, March 26, 1861, a daughter of L. L. Em- mons, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. They now have a family of six children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Mary J., February 19, 1883 ; Clinton L., January 3, 1887; Fred J., October 30, 1889; Jewett C., De- cember 11, 1892; Francis E., August 16, 1895; and Donald Dewey, October 28, 1898. The daughter is now attending the Sterling high school.
For two years after his marriage, Mr. Buell engaged in farming in Lyndon town- ship, and then removed to his present farm, on which he has erected a house since his fa- ther's death, but otherwise the place remains unchanged. He has also been interested in the dairy and creamery business for twelve years, and in his business career he has been very successful. Socially he is a Knight Templar Mason and a member of the Modern Woodmen camp, No. 1912. Religiously, his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a Re- publican in politics but has never been an aspirant for public office. He is a wide- awake, energetic business man, of known reliability, and as a citizen is always ready to discharge every duty that devolves upon him.
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